I spent two nights in a Best Western and two nights at a long time friends house. The Best Western had a guest laundry and I took the opportunity to wash clothes. Three dollars worth of quarters took care of all of it. The motel also had a pool, jacuzzi, exercise room and a shallow pond on the grounds that had turtles, nesting birds and from what one guest said, otters that would come and feed on the fish.
Thursday I had a 4pm appointment with Florida Motorsports to get two new tires balanced and mounted. I showed up close to 4 and right on schedule the service department started on my bike. It was hot in Naples, over 90 degrees. While the guys at Florida Motorsports worked on my bike, I took the opportunity to sit in an air-conditioned pizza parlor nearby. This northern California rider is not used to the baking Florida heat.
I got Dunlop Elite 3's put on front and rear. They mounted and balanced them for a total of $434. Motorcycle tires are expensive compared to automobile tires. I have more confidence in the new tires. The old tires were the original tires that came with the bike and were nine years old. The wear on the tires and the age of the tires increasingly became a concern. I won't have to change tires for the rest of the trip.
I got to my friend Joani's house on Friday around 11 am and spent Friday and Saturday night as Joani's guest. It was great to catch up on the 35 years that we had not communicated except on the phone. Joani showed me the beautiful white sand beaches of Naples and had a great recommendation for a seafood restaurant, Bone Fish. The grouper was outstanding.
I left Joani's house at 6:30 am this morning and after stopping for gas was on the road at 6:45 am. I took Interstate 75 from Naples, FL to Ocala, Fl. From there I took US Hwy 301 to near Jacksonville, FL. I rolled into Jacksonville around 2:30 this afternoon and began to look for a motel.
Last night I got less than optimum sleep and riding in the heat sapped my energy. I stopped several times just to pour water on my neck to cool off. I ride in full riding gear no matter the temperature, leather jacket, boots, gloves, etc. Riding in 90+ degrees takes it toll.
Overall 356 miles and 8 hours on the road.
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